Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Tuesday the release of $250,000 in capital improvement grant funds for Wahiawa General Hospital.

The money will go toward resurfacing the hospital’s two-acre parking lot for the safety of its patients, visitors and staff.

“It has been nearly 20 years since the parking lot of the hospital was resurfaced,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These funds will allow Wahiawa General Hospital to improve safety and access for every patient entering and departing the hospital.”

The Wahiawa Hospital Association was founded in 1944 in response to the healthcare needs of the community following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Several years later, Wahiawa General Hospital, a nonprofit, community hospital, was established to further meet the growing needs of Central Oahu.